Vet Tech Schools In Colorado

In this competitive economy, finding a well-paying and secure job is an objective for many individuals, ranging from newly graduated students to older men and women who are seeking to transition to a more secure career.

With the rising importance of quality veterinary care in America, becoming a veterinary technician is an increasingly promising career path for these individuals.

What is a Vet Tech?

A vet tech works as an assistant to the veterinarian, much like a registered nurse assists a doctor. By assisting the veterinarian, the vet tech can help ensure that the animals under his or her care, ranging from pets to livestock, continue to receive the best possible veterinary assistance.

Some common duties that veterinary technicians undertake include the following:

Career Prospects for Vet Techs

Vet techs can find a number of different employment options, including the following:

Many rural and urban veterinary practices make use of one or more vet techs to assist their veterinarians.

State and local humane and animal control agencies often use vet techs for such functions as monitoring the health of the animals under their care and assisting in spay and neuter clinics.

Farms and ranches may be another source of employment, as they must conform with a variety of federal and state animal care regulations.

Finally, the rising importance of high quality health care for family pets has made the veterinary technical field one that is experiencing robust and sustained growth.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the field of veterinary technology will continue to enjoy above average grow beyond 2020, making this a very promising career for those seeking a long-term and stable source of employment.

Becoming a Vet Tech in Colorado

In order to become a certified vet tech in Colorado, the individual must consider what vet tech schools in Colorado he or she will attend. It is important that the school be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), in order to ensure that the program will be accepted by credentialing authorities.

Types of Veterinary Tech Programs

There are a number of types of veterinary tech programs. In most cases, the programs are offered by community colleges or vocational training centers. A full-time program normally lasts approximately two years, and includes classroom instruction in addition to practical training in the skills a vet tech will be required to demonstrate.

In addition, many accredited programs offer part-time and distance-learning courses, in order to accommodate students who are working or otherwise unable to attend school on a full-time schedule. These courses have the benefit of offering the student the ability to complete a vet tech program at his or her own pace.

After completing the vet tech program, the student must successfully complete the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), a national exam that evaluates the vet tech’s practical and academic qualifications. In order to become a certified vet tech in Colorado, the individual must pass the examination with a minimum score of 425.

Upon completing these steps, the vet tech must apply to the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians (CACVT) and present proof of his or her graduation and passage of the VTNE. After paying a fee to the CACVT, the individual may practice as a certified vet tech in Colorado.

Renewing the Vet Techs Certification

The vet tech must renew his or her certification every two years. In addition to paying a fee to the CACVT, the vet tech must also have taken at least 20 hours of continuing education. The vet tech should ensure that any continuing education is verified as being acceptable to the CACVT before the renewal deadline.

Becoming a vet tech in Colorado is an excellent career opportunity for new and old workers alike. By entering this career, a certified vet tech will enjoy excellent working conditions in a profession that is publicly respected.